As this promotional video points out, there's an endless list of ridiculous tricks that will supposedly cure a bout of hiccups. But for whatever reason the makers of the Hiccup Stick-which you bite on while drinking a glass of water-don't feel this solution ranks among them. Not only that, they want you to shell out »10/30/12 3:20pm 10/30/12 3:20pm

This is so bizarre it reads like a Monty Python skit: A Bangkok beautician claims that she can make you beautiful, thinner and enlarge your breast by beating the crap out of you. Shockingly, Thailand's government has approved her technique. »9/19/11 3:58pm 9/19/11 3:58pm

Getting old is terrifying. What if we could stay 21-years-old forever? There are plenty contraptions and substances out there which can do just that. Here are seven that will help you maintain your youth. [At least, that's the pitch.] »9/06/11 5:00pm 9/06/11 5:00pm

We refer to things as snake oil whenever it over promises, scams, has no proof in being able to do what its been marketed to do or when it's just plain ridiculous. But did you know real snake oil works? »5/22/11 3:00pm 5/22/11 3:00pm

This elegant evening gown, called "Herself," is an experiment. By coating the dress with a special concrete mixture (yes, concrete!), designer Catalytic Clothing claims it can, allegedly (stress: allegedly), suck up nitrogen oxide and CO from the surrounding air. »1/16/11 9:00pm 1/16/11 9:00pm

Now here's something which claims to do the same as SAD lamps, but THROUGH YOUR EARS. Valkee's earbuds supposedly beam light right through to your brain, no doubt brainwashing you into thinking $240 is a sum well-spent on two LEDs. »1/12/11 1:20pm 1/12/11 1:20pm

Step right up and marvel at the latest innovation in audio technology. The LessLoss Blackbody...box...thingy claims to improve stereo sound simply by being placed next to your gear. How does it work? I haven't the slightest idea. »11/25/09 3:39pm 11/25/09 3:39pm

A hapless human basks in the glow of the ReGen
HUMAN INCINERATOR 3000
skin treatment system, which is said to "rejuvenate" skin using high-intensity blue and red LED lights. More at [io9] »5/21/09 12:40pm 5/21/09 12:40pm

As far as we can tell, this watch doesn't actually stab your wrist at all, which is a shame, because anything that advertises itself as an acupuncture bracelet had better be breaking some skin. Which it doesn't, but there's a healthy amount of BS being tossed your way should you put it on and try to use it to get…
»11/23/08 5:00pm 11/23/08 5:00pm

You want to know what snake oil smells like? Take a whiff of the Lifemax Sneezer beam. Oh wait—you can't because your nose is stuffed up. Well, I suggest taking some Allegra because I hardly think cramming two light beam rods up your nose that use "dual-wavelength phototherapy" will do much to relieve congestion,…
»11/12/08 1:30pm 11/12/08 1:30pm

Sarah Varney of NPR's "All Things Considered"
tested out »8/19/08 8:00pm 8/19/08 8:00pm the Kinoki body-detoxifying footpads currently making the rounds of late-night infomercials, to see if they really eliminate "heavy metals and metabolic waste." She and her husband used them for a night, and by the next morning the pads were covered in…

Apparently, the folks in Japan are suckers for snake oil tourmaline trinkets like this bra that was recently unveiled at the Beauty World Japan exhibition in Tokyo. If you are not familiar, tourmaline is thought of as a "miracle electric stone" capable of blocking harmful radiation from cellphones, improving moods and… »5/21/08 6:50pm 5/21/08 6:50pm

Those who have trouble with allergies (and deep pockets) may try just about anything to help alleviate their symptoms, and chances are Victorinox had these people in mind when they developed this Swiss Army Tech Vest with Air Purifier. The purifier itself is located in the left breast pocket, and it supposedly… »1/30/08 3:00am 1/30/08 3:00am

If the thought of blindness doesn't scare you, this Eye Power thingamajig supposedly uses ultrasonic waves to somehow jostle your nearsighted eyeball into compliance. Its makers claim a ten-minute session can cure those bleary deadlights of yours, so you can toss away those specs and contacts, forever eagle-eyed and… »11/29/07 11:55am 11/29/07 11:55am